Description
Albert Square was part of mid-C19th development in the area that was previously market gardens and agricultural land. Built by Islington builder John Glenn, the square was laid out on as grand a scale as in Kensington. The 4-storey houses enclosed a private communal garden provided for the use of residents. Now open to the public, the square is largely grassed and has slightly undulating ground with perimeter trees and modern railings. Mature trees include London plane and holly.
Practical Information
| Site location | Albert Square |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW8 |
| What3Words | ///trial.riders.apples |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Oval (Northern). Bus: 2, 88, 155 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The area was once part of the old Manor of Vauxhall, and was largely agricultural until development began in the early C19th. In 1793 two areas of land known as the 14 Acres and Pightle were purchased by John Wilkinson of Woodford, who bequeathed his estate to two nephews when he died in 1818. In 1843 an Act of Parliament enabled the granting of building leases for the development of the estate and Albert Square and the tree-lined roadway leading to Clapham Road represents the first area to be built. Albert Square was laid out on the 14 Acres site, the plot having been leased to the Islington builder John Glenn. Glenn laid out the square on as grand a scale as in Kensington. The four storey houses enclose a communal garden of grass, shrubs and mature trees including London plane and holly. The OS map of 1870 shows an elaborate network of paths, with numerous trees. In 1928 it was maintained by the Trustees of the estate of joint owners Mr A C Pensam and Mr J F Budge, and may have been subject to a deed that stipulated that it should be preserved as open space. At that time lessees of houses in the square had the right to use the garden on payment of an annual rent of £1 per house for its maintenance. When the Victoria Line was constructed a shaft was sunk in the garden. Now publicly accessible, the square is largely grassed and has slightly undulating ground with perimeter trees and modern railings. Former residents include Arthur Rackham, who lived at No. 27.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ306770 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | private |
| Site Management | Albert Square and St Stephens Residents Association |
| Dates | 1846-7 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 1-5, 33-36, 24-32, 6-14, and 15-23 Albert Square |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Albert Square |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Protected London Square; Article 4 Direction |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Much of the area remained farmland until early-mid C19th development although wealthy merchants had began to build villas here in the C18th. The town houses of Durand Gardens, originally called The Grove, were built from 1840 onwards with a central garden laid out for use by the residents. The garden's irregular shape is possibly due to it being the site of a plague pit. Although it was once laid out as an ornamental garden it became neglected. In the 1980s the Durand Gardens Residents Association purchased the site, and it is now maintained as a woodland garden.
Lansdowne Circus was laid out in 1843-50 as part of speculative housing development, largely undertaken by John Snell. Development in this area accelerated after Vauxhall Bridge was constructed. The layout of axial roads around the formal circus, numerous street trees, and detached, semi-detached and terraced housing has little changed since the mid C19th. The central garden enclosure was planted with grass and trees but appears not to have been accessible. Lambeth Borough Council compulsorily purchased the garden in 1951.
Stockwell Memorial Gardens is a small triangular space surrounding a fine white stone WWI memorial in the form of a clock tower. It was laid out c.1920 when the site at Stockwell Terrace was conveyed to Lambeth Borough Council. In 1928 it is described as having lawns and flower beds and 'very attractive'. Adjacent to it is the circular vents 'rotunda' and access buildings serving the 1940s Deep Underground Shelter which has been decorated with a painted mural. A mural unveiled in 2001 commemorates Violette Szabó, GC, and Stockwell residents who died in WWII. The mural unveiled in 2001 commemorates Violette Szabó, GC, and Stockwell residents who died in WWII.
On 8th October 2008 a statue entitled 'Bronze Woman' by Ian Walters was unveiled. The Bronze Woman is London’s first statue of an African-Caribbean woman.
In 2016 the road layout was rearranged to encourage cycling and pedestrians. The gardens were linked to an adjacent parade of shops (having previously been rather isolated as part of a gyratory traffic island amid heavy traffic) with a new avenue of trees planted alongside the shops and extending the gardens. The Bronze Woman statue was carefully re-sited to the north of the rotunda vents within the gardens as part of the 2016 works.
On 8th October 2008 a statue entitled 'Bronze Woman' by Ian Walters was unveiled. The Bronze Woman is London’s first statue of an African-Caribbean woman.
In 2016 the road layout was rearranged to encourage cycling and pedestrians. The gardens were linked to an adjacent parade of shops (having previously been rather isolated as part of a gyratory traffic island amid heavy traffic) with a new avenue of trees planted alongside the shops and extending the gardens. The Bronze Woman statue was carefully re-sited to the north of the rotunda vents within the gardens as part of the 2016 works.